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~ Jesus (عليه السلام) in Islam ~

Was Jesus God? Or was he sent by God? Who was the real historical Jesus?

Jesus never calls himself God:

The Bible contains many verses in which Jesus speaks of God as a separate person to himself. Here are just a few of them:

When a man addressed Jesus as "Good Teacher", he replied "Why do you call me good? No one is good except the One God.'' [Mark; 10.18]

In another instance he says "I can't do anything by myself. Whatever I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just. I don't seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me." [John; 5.30]

Jesus speaks of God as a separate being to himself: I'm going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. [John; 20.17]

In this verse he affirms that he was sent by God: This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent. [John; 17.3]

If Jesus was God he would have told people to worship him, but he did the opposite and disapproved anyone worshipping him: And in vain they worship Me [Matthew; 15.9]

If Jesus claimed to be God then there should be hundreds of verses in the Bible which would have mentioned it. But there is not a single verse in the entire Bible in which Jesus says; "I am God, worship me."

Jesus as Son & Lord?:

Jesus is sometimes referred to as 'Lord' in the Bible and at other times as 'Son of God'. God is called the 'Father', so putting these names together it could be claimed that Jesus is the son of God. But if we look at each of these titles in context we will find that they are symbolic and not to be taken literally.

'Son of God' is a term used in ancient Hebrew for a righteous person. God calls Israel his 'son': This is what the LORD says: Israel is my oldest son.[Exodus; 4.22]. Also, David is called the 'Son of God': The LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.' [Psalm; 2.7]. In fact anyone who is righteous is referred to as God's 'son': All who are led by God's Spirit are God's sons and daughters. [Romans; 8.14].

In the same way, when the word 'Father' is used to refer to God it shouldn't be taken literally. Instead it's a way of saying God is the creator, sustainer, cherisher etc. There are many verses for us to understand this symbolic meaning of the word 'Father', for example: one God and Father of all. [Ephesians; 4.6].

Jesus is sometimes called 'Lord' by the disciples. 'Lord' is a term used for God and also for people who are held in high esteem. There are many examples of the word 'Lord' being used for people in the Bible: So they (Joseph's brothers) went up to Joseph's steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. "We beg your pardon, our lord," they said. [Genesis; 43.19-20]. Also, in other parts of the Bible, Jesus is even called a 'servant' of God by the disciples: the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. [Acts; 3.13]. This clearly shows that when 'Lord' is used to refer to Jesus, it is a title of respect not of divinity.

Jesus in Islam:

The Islamic belief about Jesus demystifies for us who the real Jesus was. Jesus in Islam was an extraordinary individual, chosen by God as a Prophet and sent to the Jewish people. He never preached that he himself was God or the actual son of God. He was miraculously born without a father, and he performed many amazing miracles such as healing the blind and the lepers and raising the dead-- all by God's permission. Muslims believe that Jesus will return before the day of Judgement to bring justice and peace to the world. This Islamic belief about Jesus is similar to the belief of some of the early Christians. In the Qur'aan, God addresses the Christians about Jesus in the following way:

{O People of the Book, do not commit excesses in your religion, and do not say anything about God except the truth: the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, was nothing more than a messenger of God, His word, directed to Mary and a spirit from Him. So believe in God and His Messengers and do not speak of a 'Trinity'-- stop [this], that is better for you-- God is only ONE God, He is far above having a son, everything in the heavens and earth belongs to Him and He is the best one to trust.} [4;171]